The Atlanta Hawks begin the last month of the regular season against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. Portland entered the game having not won a game at State Farm Arena since 2019. Unfortunately, for the Hawks, their winning ways ended against the Trail Blazers as they lost 127-113.
The Hawks rank as one of the better offensive teams in the league. They are ranked fifth in points per game (117.9), second in assists per game (29.5), eighth in offensive rebounds per game (11.9), and third in points in the paint per game (55.2).
The Hawks led at the end of the first quarter by a score of 27-26. Dyson Daniels was perfect from the floor going 4-for-4 with eight points. The Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month ended his night with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hawks were able to outscore the Trail Blazers 16-10 in the paint. Atlanta was also able to push the pace and tempo at the start of the game, outscoring the Trail Blazers 11-4 in the early stages.
Trae Young also reached a milestone as he recorded his 800th assist in the first quarter. He finished the first half with double-digit assists (10), as it was a major reason why the Hawks were able to keep the game close.
Portland outscored Atlanta in the second quarter 31-27 as the Hawks had several costly turnovers that led to easy baskets. The Trail Blazers scored 11 points off 13 turnovers by the Hawks in the half. They also outscored Atlanta in second-chance points 12-5 in the half. Atlanta also struggled on their 3-pointers as they were 4-of-16, shooting 25%.
Portland started the second half hot, leading by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. The Trail Blazers’ duo of Deni Avdija (32 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) and Shaedon Sharpe (33 points and 10 rebounds) were too much for Atlanta.
Onyeka Okongwu had an incredible month of March scoring 200+ points scored and 150+ rebounds during the month. Only Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Clipper Ivica Zubac had those totals for the month. He finished the game with 12 points and six rebounds.
Young recorded his 46th double-double of the season and his sixth in successive games. It’s also the 15th time this season he has had 15 or more assists in back-to-back games. Young ended the game with 29 points and 15 assists.